Manatees or sea turtles in the wild?

[Eddie512]

Will be driving to Orlando from Texas in July. Does anyone know if you can see manatees nearby or en route (besides in captivity)? Based on my searching I will not be there at the correct time of year. Open to other wildlife experiences too... We did a dolphin cruise at one of the Texas beaches and it was really neat!
Apologies if this should be posted somewhere else... Didn't seem to fit anywhere

 

[emsstacey]

You can check out the sea turtle preservation society between Cocoa Beach and Melbourne. They hold sea turtle expeditions for a small donation where you can go at night and watch a sea turtle laying eggs. There are also a lot of kayaking trips you can do out of Merritt Island that will see manatee. We actually had manatee swim right up to us there... The manatee do prefer cooler waters, though, so best luck will be at night/dusk.

 

[IrishNYC]

Both live in salt water, so probably not unless you stop in Pensacola or somewhere along the Gulf on your way to Orlando, or if you take a trip to the Coast while you're at Disney. There's no guarantee you'd see them, though. We've stayed on the beach in the Keys about a dozen times and have only seen manatees once.

 

[nfggirl5454]

I grew up about 3 hours north of Orlando, on a small island in the Gulf called Cedar Key. Sometimes manatees swim up there, although you're much more likely to see dolphins (when I was home for Memorial Day weekend, we saw dolphins from the deck every day). Crystal River is in the Gulf too, maybe about 2 hours north of Orlando, and I know they do swim with the manatees type things there. I've heard those are fun, although I've never done it myself.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Both live in salt water, so probably not unless you stop in Pensacola or somewhere along the Gulf on your way to Orlando, or if you take a trip to the Coast while you're at Disney. There's no guarantee you'd see them, though. We've stayed on the beach in the Keys about a dozen times and have only seen manatees once.

I'm from Pensacola and never saw a manatee there. I heard you may see them by boat from around Perdido Key.

A good place is here on the Space Coast at http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/trails/articles/2012/october/merritt-island-national-wildlife-refuge-100-pure-florida.html.

I have seen them there.


http://www.floridawildlifeviewing.com/florida_sea_turtles/SebastianInlet.htm

 

[TinkFan74]

There are boat tours out of Crystal River, but in the summer there is not much to see. I went on a snorkeling trip to see the manatees three summers ago and I ended up with a skin parasite from the warm water.

 

[DWillowBay]

You will see a whole mess of Hu- manities. However, Manatees may be more elusive. Best of luck in your search.

 

[glassslippergirl]

My dad used to work at a park in Boca that hosted evening walks to (hopefully) see sea turtles lay eggs and later in the season to release hatchlings. They were really great and informational. Here's the website: http://www.gumbolimbo.org/Walk-Release It's probably too far south for you, but maybe you could call them and see if they know of a similar program in central or north FL.

 

[RabFlmom]

If you head to the Brevard County area you might see manatees on Turkey Creek near the boat ramps in Goode Park in Palm Bay or on Crane Creek right up by downtown Melbourne. Or you could go
Titusville to Space view park. We have seen several when out on the docks in the Intercoastal waterways. Or maybe at the the National Seashore or down Sebastian Inlet. They sometimes hang out in the water by the pier or you might see them in the inlet going from the river to the ocean. It is always a hit or miss when it comes to seeing them in the wild.

Definitely call to see if you can do a turtle walk at night to watch a turtles come in and lay eggs.

 

[Eddie512]

Wow! Thanks for all the helpful info! I love these boards.
P.s. Skin parasite, yikes!!!

 

[Accident]

If you don't mind going a little out of your way there is a manatee viewing area close to tampa and it's a protected area for them. http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/

Also there are 2 manatees in epcot in the aquarium there (the nemo ride near the front next to the land).

I've never done any but there are some swim with the manatee things nearby disney property but I've also hear in july they are less likely to be around since they like warmer water and the higher temps has more places for them to be happy so they tend to wander off for the summer.

 

[manning]

If you don't mind going a little out of your way there is a manatee viewing area close to tampa and it's a protected area for them. http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/

Also there are 2 manatees in epcot in the aquarium there (the nemo ride near the front next to the land).

I've never done any but there are some swim with the manatee things nearby disney property but I've also hear in july they are less likely to be around since they like warmer water and the higher temps has more places for them to be happy so they tend to wander off for the summer.

You can swim with them but cannot touch them. That could get you six months in jail. There is a state park somewhere north of Tampa. Don't remember the name.

 

[Eddie512]

I've had fun researching these suggestions (typical Dis...love to plan!) it looks like best chances for viewing in summer are at Merritt island (also have the guided sea turtle walks!!) and Wakulla Springs, a state park near Tallahassee. Wakulla has boat rides...anyone have personal experience with these?

 

[Guyton dis lover]

We have manatees and sea turtles where I live. I have seen both but not often. Of course I am not on your route but you may see some here. http://www.savethemanatee.org/places.htm

 

[Docsknotinn]

As the OP noted not really the right season but maybe this will help others looking in the future. An easy drive from the Disney/Orlando area;

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring

 

[Penguinempress]

I've never seen any wild manatees near Orlando but for the past 2 years, we split our vacation time between Orlando and Indian Shores. We saw lots of manatees in the intercoastal there. One morning, a whole group of them were right by the dock of the condo we were staying in, it was amazing!

 

[Tgrgrl]

Check out Manatee Cove Park in Merritt Island. You can take kayaking tours and see lots of manatees up close and also dolphins. I live 3 miles from there and that is where we always take visitors to see manatees.

 

[Mama Lo]

I think that you only see the manatees at Blue Spring State Park during the fall/winter months. It is quite close to Orlando. I was there in January and saw at least 75 manatees including babies!

Here is a link: https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring

 

[ImDMous]

In early May a few years ago there was a manatee swimming around our DCL ship at the dock in Port Canaveral as we were getting loaded and ready to depart. He was right next to the ship, can't imagine that's a safe place for him but he seemed to be happily floating around. Not sure if they are usually there, but that's only about an hour from WDW.

 

[Judyat]

I think December - March are the best times to see manatee at Blue Springs State Park.